Did 4.5 Crore People Get Tested for TB in 2025, with More Than 22.6 Lakh New Cases Detected? - Anupriya Patel
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 4.5 crore individuals tested for TB in 2025.
- Over 22.6 lakh new cases diagnosed.
- Success in treating 19,23,538 TB patients.
- Improvement in treatment coverage from 53% to 92% over a decade.
- Implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) A staggering 4.5 crore individuals underwent tuberculosis testing in 2025 within the nation, resulting in the diagnosis of over 22.6 lakh new cases of this highly contagious disease, as reported by Anupriya Patel, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, during a parliamentary session on Tuesday.
In a written statement to the Rajya Sabha, Patel detailed the implementation of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (National TB Elimination Programme) under the framework of the National Health Mission (NHM) across the country.
“From January to October 2025, a total of 4.5 crore individuals were tested for TB, leading to the diagnosis of 22,64,704 new TB cases,” Patel remarked.
“Among the TB cases reported during this timeframe in 2024 (Jan-Oct), 19,23,538 TB patients successfully completed their treatment,” she added.
The Minister also highlighted the trends observed over the last decade concerning TB prevalence, mortality rates, and treatment coverage, according to the World Health Organization’s Global TB Report 2025.
Back in 2015, the incidence of TB in the country was recorded at 31,40,000. Treatment coverage then was at 53 percent, with 3,75,000 deaths attributed to the disease.
Over the past decade, TB cases significantly decreased to 27,10,000 and deaths reduced to 3,00,000 in 2024. Additionally, treatment coverage improved to 92 percent, as noted by Patel in the report.
Furthermore, the Minister mentioned a “renewed approach” under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, which includes identifying vulnerable populations, screening with Chest X-rays, conducting upfront Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) for all presumptive TB cases, initiating prompt and appropriate treatment, providing differentiated care for high-risk TB cases, nutrition support, and offering preventive treatment to household contacts and eligible vulnerable groups.